Check out this helpful information about University:
There are key dates during the year when applications for undergraduates open and close. You can check dates, application deadlines and find more information on UCAS. Deadlines for applying for medicine, dentistry, or veterinary science, or for Oxford or Cambridge are earlier than most other courses. It is important that you check with individual universities for their application deadlines.
Choosing a course that is right for you is probably the most important part. There are a lot of decisions to consider including:
- What subject and which course?
- Full-time, part-time or distance learning?
- What about a Sandwich degree course where you undertake a work placement.
- What are the job prospects and which course is needed for your future career.
- What are the entry requirements?
The UCAS Search Tool can get you started but we also suggest researching individual university websites.
As you will be studying and living at university for 3 or more years, it is important you think through your decision and ask yourself:
- Do you prefer to be close to home or study and live further away?
- Would you prefer a campus-based university or a city-based university?
- What other clubs and university facilities are important to you?
- How expensive will it be to live in the area?
Universities may offer a mixture of open days 'online' and 'in person'. Whilst you can do research on university websites, it is never as good as visiting the university on an open day. Use opendays.com to check when universities are holding their open days.
Ways to work
Internships and work placements are experiences that can help you understand the ins and outs of various professions and what work is like. It can help you to learn what you love doing (and what you do not), building a clearer picture of your ideal career path.
Work experience is usually unpaid and short term. You may need to find work experience yourself. This involves asking your contacts, including friends and family, if they know of anyone willing to give you work experience in their company.
Some larger employers offer work experience opportunities. They usually give information on how to apply through their websites.
Internships are a type of work experience for students in university or graduates. However, more companies are starting to offer internships and work experience to school leavers, as well as to graduates.
Fancy being your own boss? Starting your own business could be the exciting challenge you're looking for. Whether it's a tech start-up, a creative endeavour, or a social enterprise, entrepreneurship opens doors to innovation and limitless possibilities.
Skills are your superpower. Acquiring new skills enhances your confidence, employability and future earning potential. Whether you choose to study at college, or through another provider of education and skills courses, there are lots of options and subjects to choose from.
Search for training courses in our Course Directory.
Also have a look at the growing number of free training courses available online. Whilst not all free online courses will result in a formal qualification, the knowledge gained could help you prepare for higher education, choose a course, or give you skills and knowledge to add to your CV or UCAS statement.
Check out the links in our side panel.
